Circuit breaker assembly and actuating mechanism



D. E. CLARKE June 21, 1966 CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1963 r r A M c s w n D June 2l, 1966 D. E. CLARKE CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATING Filed Oct. 21, 1963 MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 www WWA/Ess.' w @www pay/0 E, CLA

4 rr n June 21, 1966 D. E. CLARKE 3,257,523

CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001'.. 21, 1963 07 FIG, 7.

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June 21, 1966 D. E, CLARKE 3,257,523

CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VvE/vrai?,

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United States Patent() This invention relates to circuit breakers and the like and, more particularly, to a new and improved actuating or reset mechanism therefor.,

Among the several objects of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker assembly including a new and improved manual actuating and reset mechanism therefor of the push-pull, manually operated push-button type.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker having a push-pull, manually operated, push-button actuatingand reset mechanism which permits manufacture ofthe circuit breaker assembly either as a push-button operated or a toggle operated device, with a minimum change in the construction of the actuating mechanism and of the circuit breaker assembly, with a minimum change of parts, without changing substantially the envelope or external configuration or dimensions of the, circuit breaker and without changing the operation of the circuit breaker itself.

Other objects will bein part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprisesthe elements and combinations of elements, features of construction and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which one of the various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 isl a fragmentary, partly sectional, elevational view of a circuit breaker according to the instant invention with portions thereof shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially sectional, elevational view similar to FIG. l of a circuit breaker employing a toggle-type, manual reset mechanism;

FIG. Slis a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4*4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is an `enlarged elevational view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a left hand elevational View of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational, partly sectional, View of a circuit breaker according to the instant invention showing the device in .the on or contacts-closed position; and

FIG. 8 is a View similar to FIG. 7 showing the device in the olf or contacts-open position.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts` throughout the several views of the drawings. Dimensions of certain of the parts as shown in the drawings may have been modified or exaggerated for .the purpose of clarity of illustration.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 2 a circuit breaker generally indicated by reference numeral 10 which is substantially identical with the circuit breaker shown and described in copending application Serial No. 298,536, particularly FIGS. 1 9, led July 26, 1963, in the names of Clifford A. Bodge and Martin W. Lawson and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.' The portions of FIG. 2. shown in solid lines comprise the manually operated toggle reset assembly which is replaced by the push-button actuating mechanism according to the instant invention.

Referring now to FIG. l, there is shown a circuit breaker generally indicated by reference numeral. 510 which is substantially identical with that of FIG. 2 except 3,257,523 Patented June 21, 1966 ICC for the inclusion ofv a push-pull, manually operable, push-button actuating and reset mechanismI which is generally indicated by reference numeral 502 and which is shown in solid-line portions of FIG. 1. The portions shown in solid lines are the push-button operating mechanism elements which replace the toggle mechanism shown in solid-lines in FIG. 2.

The portions of the device shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are also shown in full in FIGS. 7 and 8, are substantially identical with those shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-9 of the above mentioned application of Bodge et al. to which reference may be made for a more complete description of the construction and operation of these portions. In this application, numerals corresponding to those in the above-mentioned application of Bodge et al. indicate corresponding parts. i

Briefly, circuit breakers 10 and 510 include a fixed contact 92 and a movable contact 91 carried by and electrically connected to a contact arm assembly 88 which is electrically connected to an electromagnetic assembly 72. Associated with assembly 72 is an armature-tripper 94 mounted for rotation on pin 96. A tripper leg 118 of armature-tripper 94 is engageable with a rotary latch 133 carried by collapsible linkage assembly 122. Linkage 122 is connected at its lower end to contact arm assembly 88 and, at its upper member 128, to the lower end of link 52 (circuit breaker 10) and 552 (circuit breaker 510) by pin 124. A frame 60 secured in vhousing 11 mounts con-tact arm assembly 88, electromagnetic assembly 72 and armature-tripper 94. Links 52 and 552 are mounted for rotation about pin 54 and are biased for rotation from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8 by spring 58 which is h connected at one end to link 52 at 56 (link 552 at S56) and at the other end to cover member 24 at tab 26.

In the contacts-closed position shown in FIG. 7, assembly 122 is latched by rotary latch 133 and acts as a rigid body. The forces generated by spring 114 acting through contact arm assembly 88 and linkage assembly 122 to link 52 (552) at pin 24, are greater than the force of spring 58 and bias link 52 (552 in circuit breaker 510) to the position shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 7.

Starting in the contacts-closed position shown in FIG. 7, when an overload condition appears in the line into which the circuit breaker is connected electromagnetic assembly 72 is energized and attracts armature-tripper 94 whose rotation about pin 96 causes leg 118 to engage rotary latch 133 to unlatch collapsible assembly 1-22. This permits assembly 122 to collapse thereby releasing link 52 (552) to the action of spring 5'8 whereby the assembly moves to the contacts-open position shown in FIG. 8. In this position linkage assembly 1122 is again latched and acts as a rigid body whereby manual rnovement of link 52 (552) against spring 5-8 to reset the device moves linkage assembly r122, rotary latch 133 and contact arm assembly 88 to the contacts-closed position shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toggle mechanism of circuit breaker 10 includes a toggle 44 having a b-ulb portion 48 in a hollowed out portion 50 of which is received the upper end of link 52 for pivotal movement about pin 54 which passes through the bushing, the toggle and the upper end of link 52.

It c an be seen tha-t the location of pin 54 is determined by the operation of the circuit breaker assembly and that pin 54 and the lower portion of link 52 (5S-2) are integral elements of the circuit breaker assembly as well as elements of its manualactuating and reset mechanism. As will appear more clearly hereinafter, the instant invention advantageously permits push-button operation without disturbing the above noted relationship.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-6, a push-pull manually operated push-button actuating and reset mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 502 according to the -instant invention, includes an upper push-button member 504 formed of a suitable material such as, for example, a resinous,' phenolic material or aluminum. Push-button 504 is slidably received in open ended aperture 46 in bushing 32 which is mounted in registry with an aperture 31 in cover member 24. Push-button assembly 502 also includes a retaining sleeve or member 506 formed of a' material of suitable hardness and corrosionresistance such as for example, hardenable stainless steel. Retaining member 506 is xedly secured to push-button 504 by means of a threaded screw 508 passing through a threaded aperture in push-button 564 and retainer 5%. In this manner, retainer 506 and push-button 504 can reciprocally come together along the longitudinal axis of bushing 3'2.

The head of threaded member 508 is recessed in pushbutton 504 -to permit a cover element 509 to be secured in push-button 504 to enclose member 508. Cover 509 may, if desired, be omitted, or if included, may contain markings to indicate the rating of the device.

Retaining member 506 includes an upper portion of reduced diameter around which is received an indicating sleeve 5:12 formed of a suitable material such as, for example, lthe thermosetting resin sold under the trademark Melinac. Indicating sleeve 512 is of a color contrasting with that of push-button 504 and, if desired, bushing 32, to provide an indication of the position of push-button 502 in relation to bushing 32 and hence, whether the device is in the contacts-open or contacts-closed position. The lower portion of retainer 505 contains a hollowed out portion 514 which provides a receptacle rfor the upper end of link 552. The upper end of link 552 is pivotable about pin or rivet 54 which is mounted along a cross sectional diameter of bushing 32 as best seen in FIG. 3. Retaining member 506 also includes a longitudinally extending slot 564 through which pin 54 passes and about which slot S34 rides when push-button 50,4 and retainer 5016 are imoved reciprocally in bushing 32. Slot 534 extends upwardly from the end of retainer 506 nearest the interior of casing 11.

Link 552 is formed of a suitable, moldable, strong, electrical insulating material such as, for example, nylon. The lower end as viewed in FIG. 1 of link 552 includes a slot 553 in which is received the upper link 128 of collapsible assembly 122. The lower portion of toggle link 5512, including tab 556, slot 554 and the connection to link 128 by pin 124, are substantially identical with that shown and described in connection with the aforementioned application of Bodge et al.

The upper portion of link 552 includes a slot 520 in lwhich is received bell crank 522. A lower lever arm 524 of bell crank 522 is received in a recess 526 in slot 520 in the upper portion of link 552. The upper lever arm S28 of bell crank 522 projects out of slot 520 in link 552 into an aperture or receptacle 530 in sleeve 565 to provide an engagement or connection between bell crank 522 and retainer 506. Bell crank 5-22 is retained in slots 520 and 526 in the upper portion of link 552 by the pin 54 which passes through 4the upper portion of toggle link 552 as well as by lever arm 524 in recess 526. This permits bell crank 522 to move as a unit with link S52 as the link pivots about pin 54. The push-button 504 and retainer 506 are retained in bushing 32 by the engagement of retainer 506 by lever arm 528.

It will be seen that if a force is applied to link 552 tending to pivot it about pin 54, the resulting pivotal movement of link 552, between the position shown in FIG. 7 and that in FIG. 8, will be converted through bell crank 522, lever arm 528 and receptacle 530` to reciprocal movement of retainer 506 and push-button 504 in bushing 32 between the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Conversely, when a force is applied to push-button 504 tending to reciprocate the button in bushing 32 between the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the resulting reciprocal moved ment is converted to pivotal movement of link 552 about pin 54 between the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the circuit breaker is in the contacts-open position shown in FIG. 8, it can be reset by depressing pushbutton 504. Retainer 506 engages lever arm 528 of bell crank 522 at 530 and as the button 504 moves to the dashed-line position shown in FIG. 8, bell crank 522 and link 552 are pivotal about pin 54 to move to the position shown in FIG. 7. Since link S52 is connected to contact arm assembly 88 and movable contact 91 through collapsible linkage assembly 122 the pivotal movement of link 552 moves assemblies 88 and 122 to the contactsclosed position shown in FIG. 8.

When a condition occurs in the line in which the circuit breaker is connected which energizes electromagnetic assembly '72, armature tripper 94 unlatches rotary latch by bushing 32 in the depressed position shown in FIG.` 7 and is exposed in the position shown in FIG. 8. SinceV indicating sleeve contrasts in color with bushing 32 and button 504, a clear visual indication of the position of the push-button assembly S04 is provided.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the toggle operated circuit breaker 10, shown in FIG. 2, can be converted to push-button operation according to the instant invention with a minimum number of structural changes without changing the exterior configuration of casing 11 and cover 24, and without disturbing the operation or construction of the circuit breaker assembly.

In View of the above it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, and it is also intended that the appended claims shall cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A circuit breaker assembly comprising a pair of electrical contacts, one of which is movable into and out of engagement with the other of the contacts; a linkage assembly coupled with the movable contact and movable between first and second positions for moving the movable contact into and out of engagement with the other contact; an electromagnetic actuating mechanism engageable with a portion of the linkage assembly for effecting movement of the linkage assembly between the first and second positions; a cover member on the assembly having an opening therein to permit access to the linkage assembly; a push-button operated lmeans mounted on the cover member and reciprocally movable toward and away from the linkage assembly and having a slot formed in a portion thereof; a pin mounted on the cover member and about which the slot rides when the push-button means moves reciprocally; a bell crank mounted on the pin and engageable with the push-button means for pivotal movement'about the pin when the push-button means moves reciprocally; first and second lever arms on the bell crank,

one of which is engageable with the push-button means and the other of which is received in a recess in a portion of the connecting link; a connecting link, one end of which is coupled with the linkage assembly and the other end of which is coupled with the bell crank whereby pivotal movement of the bell crank results in movement of the linkage assembly between the first and second positions to effect contact engagement and disengagement; the connecting link being pivotally mounted on the pin and including a slot for receiving a portion of the bell crank whereby the bell crank is secured to the connecting link by the connecting link slot, the recess and the pin to efrect integral movement of the connecting link with the bell crank.

2. A circuit breaker assembly comprising a housing; rst and second electrical contacts mounted in the housing, one of which is movable into and out of engagement with the other of the contacts; a collapsible linkage assembly engageable with one of the electrical contacts and collapsible to permit movement of the linkage assembly between a rst position and a second position to move the movable one of the electrical contacts into and out of engagement with the other of the contacts; an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for collapsing the collapsible linkage assembly to cause movement of the linkage assembly between the first and second positions under predetermined conditions; a cover member on the assembly having an opening therethroughfor access to the interior of the assembly; a bushing mounted on the cover member in registry with the opening in the cover member; a pushbutton mounted in the bushing and reciprocally movable in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the bushing; a hollow retaining sleeve mounted on the end of the pushbutton nearest the interior of the assembly and movable therewith and having a slot running from its end nearest the interior of the assembly along a portion of the axial length of the sleeve; a pin mounted in the bushing along a cross sectional diameter of the bushing and about which the retainer sleeve slot rides when the push-button is moved reciprocally; a bell crank pivotally mounted on the pin and having rst and second lever arms, the rst of the lever arms being engageable with a portion of the retainer sleeve; a connecting link formed of an electrical insulating material to electrically insulate the push-button from the linkage assembly having one end thereof connected to the second lever arm of the bell crank and the other end connected to the collapsible linkage assembly whereby reciprocal movement of the push-button and retainer sleeve is converted into pivotal movement of the connecting link about the pin to move the collapsible linkage assembly between the lirst position and the second position for effecting contact engagement and disengagement; the connecting link including a slot for receiving a portion of the bell crank and a recess in the slot for receiving the first lever arm; the second lever arm projecting out of the connecting link slot into a receptacle formed in a Wall of the sleeve to provide the engagement between the bell crank and the retainer sleeve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,381 4/ 1950 Bordelon 200-167 X 2,576,771 11/1951 Bentley 200-153 X 2,958,751 11/1960 Camp ZOO-153 3,142,737 7/ 1964 Brackett 200--116 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

I. J. BAKER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, ONE OF WHICH IS MOVABLE INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER OF THE CONTACTS; A LINKAGE ASSEMBLY COUPLED WITH THE MOVABLE CONTACT AND MOVABLE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS FOR MOVING THE MOVABLE CONTACT INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER CONTACT; AN ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATING MECHANISM ENGAGEABLE WITH A PORTION OF THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS; A COVER MEMBER ON THE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN TO PERMIT ACCESS TO THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY; A PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED MEANS MOUNTED ON THE COVER MEMBR AND RECOPROCALLY MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AND HAVING A SLOT FORMED IN A PORTION THEREOF; A PIN MOUNTED ON THE COVER MEMBER AND ABOUT WHICH THE SLOT RIDES WHEN THE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS MOES RECIPROCALLY; A BELL CRANK MOUNTED ON THE PIN AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE PUSH-BUTTON MEASN FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT THE PIN WHEN THE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS MOVES RECIPROCALLY; FIRST AND SECOND LEVER ARMS ON THE BELL CRANK, ONE OF WHICH IS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS AND THE OTHER OF WHICH IS RECEIVED IN A RECESS IN A PORTION OF THE CONNECTING LINK; A CONNECTING LINK, ONE END OF WHICH IS COUPLED WITH THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AND THE OTHER END OF WHICH IS COUPLED WITH THE BELL CRANK WHEREBY PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE BELL CRANK RESULTS IN MOVEMENT OF THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS TO EFFECT CONTACT ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT; THE CONNECTING LINK BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE PIN AND INCLUDING A SLOT FOR RECEIVING A PORTION OF THE BELL CRANK WHEREBY THE BELL CRANK IS SECURED TO THE CONNECTING LINK BY THE CONNECTING LINK SLOT, THE RECESS AND THE PIN TO EFFECT INTEGRAL MOVEMENT OF THE CONNECTING LINK WITH THE BELL CRANK. 